If they say: “you must suffer both torture and burning” —
I shall joyously sing on the stake that will finish my life —
Obedient.
If I had to abandon my singing forever,
I would silently offer my tongue and my hands to the knife —
Obedient.
If they said: “you will never again be together” —
I would strengthen my love and would know how to master my fate —
Obedient.
If they forced me to suffer the torments of final betrayal,
My voyage was long—I would readily enter the strait —
Obedient.
But if they forbid us our love — on that day
I shall not believe in the ban, and will not obey.
Если мне скажут: «Ты должен идти на мученье», —
С радостным пеньем взойду на последний костер, —
Послушный.
Если б пришлось навсегда отказаться от пенья,
Молча под нож свой язык я и руки б простер, —
Послушный.
Если б сказали: «Лишен ты навеки свиданья»,
Вынес бы эту разлуку, любовь укрепив, —
Послушный.
Если б мне дали последней измены страданья,
Принял бы в плаваньи долгом и этот пролив,
Послушный.
Если ж любви между нами поставят запрет,
Я не поверю запрету и вымолвлю: «нет».
«August – asters, / August – starlight, / August – bunches / Of ripe grapes and rusty rowan / Berries – August! With benev’lent, sound, befitting / Emperors, your apple regal, / Like a child, you’re playing, August. / Like a palm, your name smooths heartache, / Emperors b...»
«August – asters, / August – astral, / August – clusters / Of ripe grapes and rusty / Rowan – August! / Like a child, who’s playing gladly / With a ball, you’re playing, August, / With your orb, so, huge and heavy. / Like a palm is to a bosom, / Is your name imperial, ...»
«I Down the alley, the horses are led, / Their long wavy manes - all combed out, / A place full of riddles, how I lament, / Having fallen in love with this town. It’s strange to recall: the soul pined for joy, / Only gasping for breath to pull through, / And now I’ve become a playthin...»
«As with a straw, you drink the soul from me. / I know, its taste is bitter, strong and heady. / I won’t disturb this torment with a plea. / I’ve been at peace for many weeks already. Say when you’re done. It isn’t sad at all, / At last, my soul has vanished from this earth. / I’...»